Nadal 'Commands Most Respect' Compared To Federer & Djokovic Says Schwartzman
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Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic are broadly considered the three best tennis players ever. However, Diego Schwartzman thinks Nadal differentiates himself in one particular way.
Part of what made the era where Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic dominated so fascinating was that each man had their own unique style and presented distinct challenges for the others to solve.
Federer's body language was always the most relaxed during matches. His fluidity and grace on the court made him a fan favorite at almost every tournament and one of the most loved sportspeople worldwide.
Djokovic's game is generally seen as having the least weaknesses and has significantly influenced how modern players compete. The Serbian is also the most prone to having heated moments at the umpire, fans, or members of his team when frustrated.
Nadal's playing style was undoubtedly the most unique of the three. The technique he used for his fearsome left-handed topspin forehand had never been seen before, and it caused Federer particular problems until the Swiss dominated near the end of their rivalry.
However, Schwartzman picked another reason for why Nadal commanded the most respect of the three when speaking to ESPN, as per We Are Tennis. The Spaniard's intensity in the locker room before a match was unprecedented and intimidated several players before they stepped out onto the court.
"I think Rafa, of the three, is the one who commands the most respect when you enter the court. It’s like you enter the court a little more defeated."
Schwartman defeated Nadal once but lost their other 11 meetings. The Argentine experienced firsthand how challenging it was to compete against the 22-time Grand Slam champion, especially on his favored clay courts.
Djokovic usually defeats his opponents efficiently, wearing them down with his overall game, while Federer was known for leaving other players technically bamboozled with some outrageous shots.
The big three pushed each other to incredible levels that will never be forgotten. Only Djokovic remains after Federer retired at the 2022 Laver Cup and Nadal ended his career at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals.
In a recent public appearance, Nadal described the physical toll being at the top together took on the three men. The Spaniard constantly struggled with injuries in the latter stages of his career and Federer's knee problem, which led to him retiring, never fully healed.
Despite not being retired yet, Djokovic has also started sustaining more injuries. He retired from his 2025 Australian Open semifinal against Alexander Zverev because of a muscle tear in his left hamstring, which he had managed since the previous round.
Djokovic returned at the 2025 Qatar Open in Doha last month but he was filmed limping while walking to the airport. At this stage, it is unknown whether he will be fully fit for the upcoming 2025 Indian Wells Open.
Although he still enjoys competing, Djokovic previously admitted that a big part of him has already left the sport since Federer, Nadal, and Andy Murray retired. However, having Murray as his coach might help him with those feelings.
